2 Corinthians 12:11-13 I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. 13 For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!
Paul begins to wind down his strong and ironic rhetoric with an appeal to his position and authority as an apostle. He has acted as a fool to boast about his weaknesses and suffering. He has taken the position of the world looking in on someone like him. All that he has experienced should not qualify a person to be honored. His foolishness is also evident by even the idea of boasting. Christians should be humble and set aside pride. It is possible to be prideful about one’s suffering and wear it as a badge to boast about. Paul has borderlined on this with his extensive list. The Corinthians should have been proud of him and honored him for all he had done for them. To commend someone is to put that person forward in recognition, usually of personal qualities and accomplishments. Verse 11 seems boastful as Paul compares himself to the super-apostles. When he lines himself up from a worldly perspective, they outshine him and he is nothing. But that is the wrong perspective for God’s kingdom.
Paul qualifies as a “true apostle” because he formed “signs, wonders, and mighty works” among the Corinthians. We do not know historically what these were based on the brief story in Acts and there is no hint of these in the Corinthian correspondence. Acts does show Paul performing miracles, so we can assume this was not a few times here and there. Evidently God granted Paul this gift as part of the evangelistic mission and church planting efforts. The miracles were not necessarily only physical but could be spiritual as people found hope and change in Jesus.
Verse 13 reminds the Corinthians that they are not special in experiencing these signs. Paul performed these miracles in other churches also. He wants them to realize that what they saw is his normal approach to ministry. In fact, he even set aside some of his normal practices in order not to be a burden to them. He sensed that they needed extra care and so did not appeal to his apostolic authority or lord it over them. This is what these false apostles are doing. The problem is that these opponents were also distorting the gospel. Paul is not concerned in this letter about his personal position but about what these people are doing to the gospel and leading the Corinthians astray.
Paul’s rhetoric continues to challenge modern readers. We may have a hard time finding much application as Paul defends himself and his ministry. We must step back and look at the whole situation and realize that this was serious and dangerous. Those who are leaders of ministries and churches should constantly evaluate their motives and consecrate any prideful thoughts and let the love of Christ replace them. Those who receive this ministry must likewise evaluate their leaders and hold them accountable in love. No one is perfect. Even outstanding leaders can be tempted and will fall from time to time. That is why we must also be willing to forgive and restore. Trust is a big deal and we must do all we can to preserve it.
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